Getting Stuff Done – One Challenge at a Time

Why I Need to Set Up a New Website for My

Fiction Business

During the last couple of months I was busy writing my short stories and publishing them on Amazon. Because I am using a pen name for this series, I need a new website in order to help promote those books.

Below is a post I wrote a while ago about the benefits of starting your own website. I also put together a tutorial that takes you step by step through the whole process.

FREE TUTORIAL – Click on the link below and you can get a free copy to help you set up your own website in no time at all.

3 Reasons To Start Your Own Website

If you already have a website, do you remember what it was like getting it all set up in the first place? Back in the day it used to be really difficult to do. The only people who could were highly skilled techies who understood HTML and coding.

These days almost anyone can set up a website and it doesn’t take that long either. If you are considering setting up your own website but are not sure what to do with it, here are 3 popular reasons why people choose to set up a website.

#1 – To Make Money Online

If you have a website or a blog, there are several ways that you can use it to make money. You can write about a particular topic, add links to Amazon products and when people click through, you earn a commission on any sales made.

Other ways to make money online with your website is to add different types of advertising programmes to your site. These include Google Adsense and Infolinks. These could earn you a nice chunk of change over time but you need a website to use these services.

#2 – To Promote Your Services or Products

If you offer a particular service, a website is a great way to promote yourself. You can show your expertise by providing examples of your work. If you are a freelance writer, you can show your writing style by publishing posts on the topics that you are an expert in.

If you are a graphic designer, you can provide examples of your work too. If, like me, you are a writer, you can promote your brand new books and advertise your backlist of previously written materials.

If you are selling tangible products, you could create an online shop. People could make purchases through your site and you could ship off their orders when you receive payment. This is a great way to extend your reach so that more people can discover what you have to offer.

#3 – To Share Your Hobbies & Interests

There are some fantastic blogs where people share their hobbies and interests. I have seen sites where people are writing about their knitting and sewing. They offer little tutorials so that others can try out their ideas. It is also possible to then offer your end creation for sale.

Hobbies and interests can be as niche as you like. Now that websites can be viewed all over the world, it is definitely possible to find others who share your interests, however rare or unique they may be.

Why I Set Up This Website – The Lazy Girl Makeover

I set up this blog for all three of the reasons mentioned above. I make a little money online from the affiliate links that are contained in some of the posts. If people purchase a book or product I recommend, then I make a small commission (thank you)

I am also sharing my interests which include making money through fiction writing as well as working on how to get things done in order to create a fantastic life.

Having this website is enabling me to document my journey in the hopes that it will inform and / or entertain others. It is also great fun.

Free Offer – Would You Like to Set Up Your Own Website?

I am offering an easy to follow tutorial so that you can get your website up and running in less than a day and you can grab it for FREE.

It is called How to Create a Simple Website

Among other things, this step by step tutorial will show you

How to choose a domain name

How to buy a domain name

How to get a hosting account

How to set up your website on WordPress

And lots more

This tutorial includes 12 short videos that show you exactly what you need to do and by the end, you will have published your very first blog post.

To download your FREE guide, just sign up below

Have Your Say: When did you set up your first website and what was your reason for doing so? Do you still have that first website? I would love for you to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

5 Great Links for July

#1 – An Inspiring Book for People Wanting More from Life

I have just finished reading The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillebeau. He spoke to lots of people who decided to set themselves a quest, not for fame or money, simply for the joy of challenging themselves. The book looks at the reasons why quests are a great idea, how they can impact your life in a positive (and sometimes negative) way and he chronicles the achievements that the different people made.

Chris’ own quest was to travel to every country in the world, which he succeeded in doing.

I read a financial case study post about a fiction writer called kathryn O’Halloran. It was a really interesting read and provided great inspiration for what is achievable if you are looking to make a full-time living from fiction writing.

#3 – A Fun & Funky Song About Love

A song that has been going through my mind is Love Don’t Cost a Thing, that old 2001 hit song by Jennifer Lopez. I think it is because I saw of her doing Carpool with James Corden. I loved singing those lyrics back in the day and dancing in the club. I hope you enjoy it too.

#4 – A Free Download from Solosmarts

I added this last month but thought it was important enough to repeat.

Do you find that you get distracted by the next best thing on the market? Check out this free resource called Managing Bright Shiny Object Syndrome from Kelly McCausey. It could help you to curb your ways and reduce your procrastination and distraction.

#5 – A Fun Day at The Day Job

The last couple of weeks we have been enjoying fantastic weather in London. Here is a picture I took of a work colleague and myself, just chilling in the office with our sunglasses on. I posted it to Facebook with the tagline:

It’s super hot outside. Derek and I are rocking the shades indoors because that’s how we roll!

Have Your Say: What was the highlight for July for you? Did you discover anything that you wish to share. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

How To Make Time for Your Fiction Writing Business

How to Get Things Done

Do you wonder how you can make time for your Fiction Writing business when you have got other things that take priority like your full time job, your family or other responsibilities?

You have lots of great ideas but you have stalled because you are worried that you do not have enough time to get the work done. Here are 3 simple solutions that have helped me to free up more time and to get things done.

#1 – Wake Up Earlier Each Day

If you have a day job that pays the bills and provides you with health benefits, keep the job while you work on launching and growing your business part time. If it is possible, try and wake up a little earlier in the mornings to work on your business.

#2 – Spend Your Lunch Hour Working on Your Writing

Instead of wasting all of your lunch hour reading your Facebook feed or complaining to your work colleagues about how much you hate your job, spend some of that time doing small tasks that will help you with your new story.

I am lucky that there is a library around the corner from work. I pop in there and I aim to write a chapter each day for my story. Sometimes the creativity flows, sometimes it doesn’t but I am trying to create a daily routine so that the time is used effectively.

If you commute to work via train, you can work on your business then, too. My train journey to work is between 35-50 minutes, depending on delays. Some people use this time to put on their make-up or catch up on sleep. I use this time to think about ideas for future blog posts or read kindle books for inspiration and research.

#3 – Turn The TV Off!

How much time do you spend in front of the box? Are you even watching or have you zoned out? Now that you can actually record your favourite programmes, you can choose to watch them at a more appropriate time for you. Use this time to work on your writing or some other aspect of your writing business and it will be far more rewarding than knowing which Kardashian is getting married now. Lol. No, I am not a hater – love ya kim

These are small changes that you can make but they could have a huge impact on the progression of your business.

It’s not so much about finding the time but rather, making better use of the time that you have. Even if it is just a fifteen minute slot here and there, it all counts and you can really achieve a lot during these short spurts.

If you have always wanted to start your own online business, whether it is fiction writing or internet marketing, there’s no better time than the present. Today will soon be yesterday and you won’t ever get that opportunity back.

Inspirational Quote – From Bea Arthur

I loved watching The Golden Girls. Bea Arthur was fantastic as the deadpan funny member of the all girl gang.

Life is Too Short To Waste Time

It is so important to make the most of our time while we can. Spend more time with loved ones and take action to make your dreams a reality.

I know that I am making more of an effort to share precious moments with my dearest friends and family members. I am also working hard on my fiction writing so that my dreams of making money from my passion becomes my reality.

Have Your Say: What do you think about Bea Arthur and her opinion? Are these wise words? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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The Lazy Girl Makeover blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and amazon.co.uk.